Apple, one of the most highly valued technology companies in the world, stands out among many others for being one of the few that manufactures its own hardware as well as software, and that allows it to offer products that go beyond what is conventional in the industry. Now, it seems that this philosophy will shine in a possible new product that has just been patented, and it is nothing less than a Mac housed within a tiny keyboard.
The patent has just been published authored by senior Apple engineers, who describe this device as “a keyboard that hosts a computer”. The main advantage of hardware of this style is that it would allow it to replace conventional laptops and displace them from their classic status as portable computers.
Another advantage is that it would allow users to use it conventionally as a keyboard, but it could also be connected to a monitor to function exactly as a Mac anyone.
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Is it a new design?
A similar concept was adopted by most personal computers that appeared in the 1980s, especially those aimed at a school audience. Classic platforms like the Commodore 64 also consisted of a single piece of hardware, complete with a keyboard, but housing all the engineering of a PC inside.
Apple patents a Mac computer housed inside a keyboard. Patent image. Photo: TechSpot
Commodore 64, one of the most popular PCs of the 80s. Photo: broadcast
Will a ‘Mac keyboard’ hit the market?
In recent years, Apple has drawn attention for its offbeat patents, including a keyboard for MacBooks with a full-cover touchscreen. However, it is fair to point out that very few of these inventions have seen the light of day.
The design has not been given a specific code name, reinforcing its status as a prototype. Another important consideration is the fact that a device like this would be in direct competition with the line of macbookswhich can be a brake for ‘Cupertino’.
Despite this, the advantages that a concept like this could offer to the common Apple user, already accustomed to products that minimize the number of cables and peripherals, are undeniable.
Other advantages it could offer is that it would be cheaper than a laptop, provide a more comfortable typing experience, and have more ventilation than a conventional MacBook, which can translate into better performance.